Encouragement for Today - September 11, 2025
The Prayer That Changed How I Talk to God
LYSA TERKEURST
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“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 (NIV)
I didn’t want to say it, feel it, or struggle with it. Yet I know it’s impossible to fix problems I refuse to acknowledge.
I’m not sure the Lord is really with me.
I kept having this suspicion that other Christians had a more direct line to God than I had. Things just seemed to work out for them. They kept gratitude journals and had plenty to write on those pages. When we studied the Bible together, they had incredible revelations: “These verses really spoke to my heart … The Lord just showed me something amazing … I see His hand moving.”
I wanted to quietly pack up my notes and Bible and just go home. What was I missing?
But I was too afraid to admit my uncertainty or ask questions, so I kept quiet. All the while, I couldn’t shake these nagging thoughts: If Jesus really cares about me, why does He seem to stay hidden from me? And if Jesus really wants a relationship with me, why can’t I see Him, hear Him, and get to know Him?
Then I remembered some relationship advice I’d heard: If people want to improve their connections with friends and family, they need to communicate their desires more clearly.
Maybe that’s what I needed to do with Jesus. So I wrote down three desires I had for my relationship with Jesus:
- I want to see You.
- I want to hear You.
- I want to know You.
I knew I wouldn’t likely physically see or hear Jesus. But my heart was crying out to see evidence of His reality in my life — to experience His presence and walk in His assurance.
Then I read Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” It’s not the perfect person who will see God. It’s the “pure in heart,” the one who really wants to pursue Him.
I added to my list, I want to follow hard after You every day so before my feet hit the floor, I say “yes” to You. And as I prayed this each day, I started looking for God with greater intentionality, living with expectation of this prayer being answered.
It’s now been over 25 years since I started praying this prayer.
And I’m different because of learning to practice the presence of Jesus and experiencing Him daily. It has been an intentional, daily pursuit. Looking for Him in unexpected places. Through the good, not-so-good, and everything in between.
Now, that doubt that once haunted me may creep back in my mind, but it doesn’t send me spiraling into panic and hopelessness. I’m not afraid doubt is a sign that my faith is weak. Instead, I see it as an invitation to keep looking for the Lord.
Dear Lord, my greatest desire is to know You more and to see You in every part of my life. Today, I say “yes” to You and declare my trust in Your plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
When it feels like God is distant, it can be difficult to trust Him with the things we face each day. Maybe you find yourself asking: God, where are You? Where is Your goodness in this? Friend, please know, you are not alone in these struggles. Lysa TerKeurst has been in your shoes and deeply understands. But she’s also learned this truth: We may not always know why certain things happen, but we can trust that in this very moment, God is near and He is working. If you need help believing this is true, Lysa is creating special one-night events on the Trust Again Tour this fall with worship leader Tasha Layton. Each night will be filled with powerful worship, biblical teaching, and practical takeaways to help you experience healing in your heart, mind, and soul. See if Lysa is coming to a city near you!
ENGAGE
Find real-life encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (NIV).
In what ways do you struggle with doubt? How could you pursue and seek Jesus on an even deeper level today? Consider writing out your own personal prayer and lifting it up each day this week.
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2025 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
